Maui Invitational Preview: Michigan State’s Tourney to Lose

Break out the Hawaiian shirts… The Maui Invitational always seems to be the cream of the Thanksgiving tournament crop and this year is no different as three top fifteen teams headline the field including second ranked Michigan State and the once again young, but talented Kentucky Wildcats.

The Invite will expand to 12 teams next season featuring 23 games, 11 of which are played on the mainland. The 2011 field is more loaded than a frat boy at 2:00 am on Saturday night with Duke, Kansas, Georgetown, Memphis, Tennessee, and UCLA already committed to play. Here is a breakdown of the 2010 match-ups:

What to Watch:
UConn has more talent, but Wichita State has the experience and unselfishness to advance. The key for the Shockers will be containing Husky point guard Kemba Walker who exploded for 42 points Wednesday night against Vermont. Whichever team loses this game ends up winning the consolation bracket.

What to Watch:
Both teams are young but Kentucky has far more talent even without big man Enes Kanter who was ruled ineligible for the season. The Wildcat trio of newcomers Terrence Jones, Brandon Knight, and Doron Lamb scored 62 points in their collegiate debut and should be the difference in this game.

What to Watch:
The Huskies have scored 216 points in their first two games this season and have a ton of talent on the wing. UVA head coach Tony Bennett did some house cleaning this off-season and the Cavaliers are still in re-building mode which does bode well for their match-up with Washington. They do play hard on the defensive end but the Huskies just have too much offensive firepower.
Prediction:
Washington 78, Virginia 62

What to Watch:
The Spartans are so tough this year because of their experience in the backcourt and depth up-front. As dangerous as Wichita State will be in the Missouri Valley this season, MSU just has too many weapons.

What to Watch:
This game is interesting on a couple fronts. Remember, Enes Kanter originally committed to Washington before changing his mind and switching to Kentucky. Highly touted Terrence Ross was originally going to commit to Lorezo Romar’s Huskies before changing his mind at the last second and taking Coach Cal’s money and coming to Lexington. (I kid, I kid… but probably not) Romar and the Huskies will want this game BAD and it should be an absolute shoot-out. I give Washington’s experience the edge over Kentucky’s young talent.

What to Watch:
Another battle of talent versus experience. If they want to stay competitive, the Shockers have to keep this a half-court game which means they must play outstanding transition defense to prevent the ‘Cats from running. By the way, if the tournament plays out this way, what a huge early season test for Wichita State; games versus UConn, Michigan State, and Kentucky in three days? That will go a long way once they get to MVC play.

What to Watch:
This one will be a match-up of some of the best guard play in the country. Kalin Lucas, Durrell Summers, Korie Lucious, and Keith Appling give Tom Izzo a lot of options in the backcourt while Lorenzo Romar has a solid group consisting of Isaiah Thomas, Abdul Gaddy, Venoy Overton, Scott Suggs, and Terrence Ross. The question will be whether or not the Huskies have someone to match-up with Draymond Green at the three. Green will completely over-power UW’s thin small forward, Justin Holliday. Spartans will be getting lei’ed when it is all said and done.